and it’s not… Hmmm… A privilege,’ he began, realising that the young Toinen was genuinely surprised. ‘If you’re in a peaceful area, it’s often hard to spot anyone with a sword strapped to their side. Apart from the legion, of course, they always carry swords. In the cities, only the guard and the army carry weapons. Whereas in your country…'
‘It’s a privilege,’ Einar interjected.
‘Yes, a privilege,’ Tahon pronounced the word as if he wanted to commit it to memory. ‘I’d forgotten what the captain taught us when we were due to sail here. To be honest, this is my first time in a Ytren settlement. Before this, I’d had… Hmmm… the pleasure of meeting your warriors only in imperial ports.’ The beastman narrowed his eyes, and it seemed to Einar that not all such encounters had ended pleasantly. ‘Indeed, weapons are important to you. I’ll go and fetch my sword.’
‘Let’s meet in the banquet hall,’ said Einar, turning towards the passage leading into the house. His friend merely nodded in agreement and made his way to the far end of the dining room.
Einar hurried to his room as quickly as he could. There, he changed quickly, putting on a shirt with bears embroidered on the collar, slipping on a necklace made from a sath’s claw and an enchanted bracelet, and strapping on his new sword. He also took his knife, which was just as suitable for fighting as it was for everyday errands.
Ready to leave, he paused to consider whether there was anything else he should take with him, but decided he had everything. He left his room and peered cautiously into his parents’ bedroom, quietly hoping that his mother was already awake and feeding Athil, but it turned out that his younger brother had, for once, decided to let everyone sleep in. He didn’t want to wake his parents and was certain that getting either of his brothers out of bed would be next to impossible, so he merely sighed in resignation and made his way towards the kitchen.
When he entered the room
